The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-04-21

obtain a bundle OF Old, CASTOR cloth
ing, as variegated in tints as the colors
1 of the rainbow; and soon. much to the
confusion of the Kings Ministers, lux.
ury stalkcd throughout the land.
This masquerade amused has father
immensely, and Hannissa soon secured
the old gentleman's good graces by the
gift of number of knickhands brought
over from Europe. Among other
things. he presented his Majesty with
an object that he had never once made
use of in the whole course of his life-a
handkerchief of handsome crimson silk,
so handsome. in fact, that King CAST
mir made use of it only on state occa.
sions or reception days, when in pres
ence of his court. Hannissa also gave
him a box of lucifers, and the King
spent many pleasant evening in his
royal endeavOrs to ignite them. Not
one of the matches, however, missed
fire, as in 1868 they were all of good
quality, which is more than can be said
of those now in use.
| King Casimir's enthusiasm knew no
bounds when a roundabout with wood
en- horses was set up in front of his
palace. He could scarcely find breath
to exclaim:
''Oi, how grand. 1t turns and
wheels and covers any extent of
ground without advancing one step in
any direction. This is civilization and
no mistake"
The opposing faction at the court
had not yet shown its horns, but it
gradually worked itself up and grew
reckless.
Something, however, weighed heav-
lily on Hannissa's mind; his father
people were long way off from show
ing that sprightliness and gaiety for
which the inhabitants of Marseilles are
conspicuous. All that Hannissa could
do did not dispel the gloom. He in
PRODUCED on every eligible spot singing
cafes, adorned with looking-g asses
and columns, and containing seven
billiard-tables each; taverns where
absinthe flowed by the glassful sprang
up on every side.
Soon drunkenness, with its accom-
paniment of wickedness, reeled
throughout the country. The people
sang seditious songs and clamored for
their rights. They claimed that they
were overwhelmed with taxes. Laws
were promulgated to meet the demands
of the people; DEGREES were rendered
and rules and regulations established.
Civilization took root and discomfort
increased.
Hannissa, whose sole object was to
check resentment and pacify the
crowd brought out newspaper enti-
Les Pieds dams te Plat, or Straight to
the Point. This new organ, diminu-
time as it was, had daredevil spirit
which staggered every body, for it re-
spected no one. 1t criticized and
blamed every thing, r1diculed the King
and his Ministers and the whole royal
family; so that every one bought and
read it In the public thoroughfares.
Passions ran high and hot discussions
prevailed. Scarcely hal the second
number appeared when the King was
dcposed, and revolution became ram
pant.
A this juncture the revolutionary
leader, amid the applause of a great
gathering of people, let fall that men,
orable exclamation:
The tyrant is overthrown. another
must be chosen to fill his placer
Here the riot, which was one of the
best scenes of the play, was suddenly
transferred from the stage to the pit.
The audience showed its Indignation
by whistling so Justify that if all the
locomotives in the country should let
off their steam at the same moment
they would inadequately convey a no.
ton of the frightful music that assaulted
our ears. A perfect tempest of hiss
ing and hooting swept through the up
per galleries like whirlwind. The
din was indescribable.
l concluded that the subject of the
play was not quite to the taste of the
gentlemen of the time
Nevertheless, l stood the brunt I'M
finchingly.
Bling something of a philosopher,
had long before found a ready means
of toning down my nerves, if in any
way ruffiel Without any great effort
of imagination looked upon the play
as one written by confrere, and this
clubbing at once did away with all an
nOyance.
The piece was evidently Cottinet's,
not mine.
And, if similarly pushed, 1 advised
all unfortunate dramatic authors to try
the efficacy of this anti-nervous
remedy.
The King of Amatibou" held the
stage for three nights. But on the
third evening foo:stols were hurled at
the heads of the actors, so that the me-
talic curtain had to be lowered for
their protection.
ThereupOn the police commissioner,
with his official scarf girt around his
loins. made his appearance, and said:
Don't get excited, gentlemen; de-
pend upon ii, that filthy piece shall be
withdrawn Tomorrow
And the play succumbed to this ele-
giant bit of litery appreciation.
Figaro.
"A paper published in Scotland
says: 1.-The day will come when the